Asylum Support Appeals Project

Charity information

Asylum Support Appeals Project

Asylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP) is a small independent charity which aims to end destitution of asylum seekers. ASAP is the only organisation in the UK to specialise in asylum support appeals and asylum support law which concern asylum seekers’ housing and benefits entitlements. ASAP combines free legal representation, second-tier advice, capacity-building training and policy work and lobbying in order to defend asylum seekers’ legal rights to food and shelter.

Due to a lack of public funding available for this particular area of legal work, asylum seekers are unable to get legal representation to appeal against the Government's decision to refuse or stop their housing and welfare support. As a result, many lose their appeals and become destitute. ASAP's pioneering Duty Scheme was set up in 2004 to address this flaw in the appeal system. Through this Duty Scheme, a group of barristers, solicitors and ASAP's own Legal Advisers provide free legal representation for destitute asylum seekers at the Asylum Support Tribunal three days a week.